Executive Director
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Job Level
- Other
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
- Impact Area
- Other
- Impact Category
- Other
- Company Type
- Other
About this position
Position Overview: Veterinarians without Borders/ Vétérinaires sans Frontières is seeking a proven leader with extensive knowledge of the animal and community health domains. Our ideal candidate possesses exemplary communication skills, and a leadership approach that is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive. A demonstrated history of leading through innovation, creativity, and sensitivity is required. You will be responsible for upholding and promoting a workplace culture that embodies the mission, vision, and values that define our organization. Your financial management experience is extensive and must include a deep understanding of cash-flow planning, budget development, and experience working with staff to ensure financial controls are in place and adhered to. A passion for fostering the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain us is a prerequisite to success.
About Veterinarians without Borders/ Vétérinaires sans Frontières (VWB/VSF) – Canada: VWB/VSF is a charitable, humanitarian organization, founded in 2005. Our mission is to work for, and with, those in need to foster the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain us. Our organization engages in activities around the world related to the health of farm animals, domestic animals, and wildlife, as well as public and ecosystem health. See www.vetswithoutborders.ca for more details.
VWB/VSF has identified unique areas of expertise in One Health, gender and climate change where the organization can improve this impact. Essential to this approach is leveraging volunteer and expert networks in Canada and overseas as well as our VSF International partnerships to mobilize resources toward implementing development projects. VWB/VSF’s 2020-2025 strategic plan aims to enhance the organization’s work through four strategic directions:
- Improve the lives of people in vulnerable/marginalized communities, including those in crisis, by delivering effective programs using a One Health approach that address contextual challenges, especially gender equality and climate change.
- Progress from a pilot project to a Canadian Program operating successfully in several northern communities.
- Strengthen financial sustainability through revenue growth and diversification in order to enhance capacity for core functions and allocation of adequate resources for business development.
- Enhance visibility among the Canadian veterinary and animal health communities, the general public, government entities and local and international NGOs.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for VWB/VSF’s staff and network responsibilities including raising institutional and private funds, accelerating the recruitment of Canadians for the field, and providing oversight and guidance to global and national programs run by VWB/VSF. Specifically, the ED will be responsible for ensuring that VWB/VSF’s financial, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resources and infrastructure strategies are effectively implemented across all areas of the organization. The candidate will have considerable experience in leading organizational growth, financial management of international NGOs, and in public relations. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of, and experience within, the development sector and be able to confidently articulate VWB/VSF’s role and mission in a compelling manner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Management
- Actively participate in the development and assume responsibility for the implementation of the overall strategic direction of VWB/VSF in accordance with the vision, mission, values, strategic direction and goals set by the Board of Directors;
- Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies;
- Review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate;
- Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of VWB/VSF activities, on issues and concerns internal to the organization, and on trends and emerging issues in the external environment;
- Serve on relevant committees; seek and build active Board participation in, and support for, the achievement of financial performance, program and fundraising goals;
- Ensure the ongoing and consistent quality and delivery of finance, administration, programs, fundraising and human resources functions; ensuring the budget, staff and priorities are aligned to achieve strategic goals;
- Ensure effective systems to regularly evaluate organizational progress against goals;
- Lead, coach, develop and retain a high performance staff team; and
- Actively engage and motivate staff, volunteers, board members, committees, alumni and funders.
Resource Development and Communications
- Formulate and execute comprehensive marketing, branding and development strategies that will ensure consistency in VWB/VSF positioning, garner attention and support for national and global activities and priorities and enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies and corporations;
- Coordinate and collaborate with the Board of Directors and external partners to execute activities related to the organization's Northern Program, promoting animal health in northern Canada;
- Strengthen and grow relationships with all relevant government agencies;
- Lead the development of new business opportunities with current and new institutional donors, to support the expansion of VWB/VSF international programming;
- Identify and cultivate new partnerships for VWB/VSF across the Canadian private sector, NGOs, and academic institutions;
- Ensure that VWB/VSF’s donor tracking and stewardship systems are effective and meeting the needs of the organization, the staff that use these systems and VWB/VSF’s supporters;
- Deepen and refine all aspects of communications – from online to external relations; and
- Function in a leadership, professional capacity with respect to media relations representing VWB/VSF as the main Spokesperson.
Infrastructure and Operations
- Oversee the financial status of the organization, monitoring the organization’s overall budget as well as program budgets; set financial priorities accurately to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports organizational goals and meets requirements of funding agencies;
- Ensure that operational policies and practices are developed and in-place.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in International Development or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Five to ten years of experience in a senior role in a similar organization;
- A strong grasp of the social, economic, political and cultural realities pertaining to the international development sector and global animal health;
- Ability and confidence to act as the head spokesperson and represent VWB/VSF in a variety of settings;
- Safety & security awareness and expertise, including willingness to travel to fragile contexts;
- Demonstrated track record of securing resources from institutional and other donors for international development initiatives;
- Knowledge of and experience working in developing country contexts, preferably in some of VWB/VSF’s countries of programming;
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating and maintaining relationships with Global Affairs Canada and other donors and stakeholders;
- Superior oral and written communication skills: clear, concise, persuasive writing style;
- Sound understanding of gender and development issues, and commitment to gender equality;
- Strong capacity for strategic analysis and representation, including working with networks and developing partnerships;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity to work in partnership in a cross-cultural context;
- Demonstrated ability for financial oversight in a leadership capacity;
- Extensive knowledge of Canadian laws and regulations with respect to employment and charity management;
- Understanding of major donor fundraising trends and channels both nationally and internationally;
- Fluency in both official languages would be highly desired;
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and supervise staff.
- Willingness to travel to fragile contexts if needed while being aware of safety and security measures.
Remuneration
VWB/VSF offers a competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package and is committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity in its selection process. We encourage applications from women, racialized communities, indigenous, and other minorities.
How to apply:
To apply, submit a cover letter and detailed resume clearly explaining how your skills and experience meet the expectations of the position description. Please submit your application to monique@vetswithoutborders.ca. Please write “Executive Director” in the subject line of the email.
VWB/VSF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates of all gender identities and from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to join our organization.
Application deadline: position will remain vacant until a suitable candidate is identified.